Watch Don's Memorial Service

Donald Ordell Thompson, 91, of Mahnomen, MN, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on October 30, 1933, near Shelly, MN, Don was the son of Leonard and Elvira (Paulsrud) Thompson. While attending Halstad High School, Don met Nora Jane Jorgensen, the love of his life. They graduated together in 1952, and on September 13 of that year, they were married. Don excelled in basketball and football where the team proudly held the name "Pirates on the Prairie", which earned him a football scholarship to North Dakota State University. After an injury, Don transferred to Moorhead State University, where he studied business and accounting, becoming a teacher and coach.

While making their home on campus, Nora Jane worked full time so Don could focus on his studies. Their family quickly grew with the birth of three children: Diane, Michael, and Franklin. To help provide for his family, while in college, Don worked various jobs, including delivering for Holsum Bakery, working at Runsvold Funeral Home and driving a taxi part-time. After earning his degree, the family moved to Dilworth, MN, where Don worked teaching and coaching. But the Iron Range was paying better, so they moved to Hoyt Lakes, MN, where Don was an accountant in the taconite mine until 1958. Then Don was offered a job at Mahnomen High School, he spent nearly 33 years teaching business and economics. He was voted "Favorite Teacher" in 1980 by the students and had several Mahnomen High School annuals dedicated to him. Don also served as the assistant football coach and coached track field-events for many seasons. Don and Nora Jane helped many in their community by preparing taxes and were also involved in numerous other ventures. Don sold cars, worked on summer road construction crews, and was an extremely gifted carpenter.  In addition to many other projects, Don meticulously designed and built their own home in 1981. An avid outdoorsman, Don loved fishing, hunting, and spending time in nature. He was passionate about scouting and worked tirelessly to revive the Mahnomen Boy Scouts, where he helped many young men develop practical outdoor skills. In retirement, Don and Nora Jane bought an RV and traveled coast to coast, always ready for their next adventure. He also worked for Bursch Farms for several years. In quieter times, they spent countless hours building intricately detailed dollhouses for each of their grandchildren. Don was deeply devoted to his family, his faith and was an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. He was truly a remarkable man, a person of many talents with a heart of gold.

Don is survived by his wife, Nora Jane of Mahnomen; his daughter, S. Diane (Jim) Kochmann of Mahnomen; two sons, Michael (Zetta) Thompson of Gonvick, MN, and Frank (Jane) Thompson of Mahnomen; six grandchildren: Derek, Sarah, Hope, Kevin, Melissa, and Elliot; eleven great grandchildren; one sister, Bev Nokken of Moorhead, MN; two brothers, Arlen Thompson of Othello, WA, and Gene (Pat) Thompson of Halstad, MN; sisters-in-law, Dona Gilbertson of Eagen, MN, and Esther Bohnsack of Fargo, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Alicia and Gabriel; two great granddaughters, Katie and Bethany; one sister, Geraine Marquardt, and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Earl (Renee) Jorgenson, Clara (Neil) Erickson, John (Joyce) Jorgensen, Marjorie (Harold) Buth, and Parnell (Jean) Jorgenson.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 2024, at First Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, MN. A Time of Gathering will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Inurnment will take place at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Mahnomen following the service.